Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-08-27

To cross the stream at this point was no
great feat, and to reach the road running
on the east Of Mr.. C.'s residence and be-
tween the HillsborO and the Granny
White turnpikes was easy Of aecOmpl sh-
ments and attended by no real danger.
We had crossed the stream, passed
through Mr.. C.'s cornhelds and proceeded
TO a point within easy reach Of our jour
ney's end, when We were startled by
Halt! Who comes?"
Before time was given for reply, John
son Vaughn, one of the best scouts in the
band, had dismounted, and began to throw
down the fenes on our left, between the
command and the stream, which lay three
quarters of a mile 20 the west Of our posi-
ton.
a friend, was replied.
"What commando" was asked
@What do you mean by "halting" people
who are in search Of a dOctorI" was limo
Gently asked.
Yes; il YOU viii advance and satisfy us
that you are in search Of a doctor, you
may proceed on your way" was replied.
Well, that's inst what We didn't want to
do; but We did wish Vaughn would hurry
to down that fsncsi
The order came, assist Vaughn, for
they viii not delay much longer"
That's so, Lieutenant, for that's old
Watkins Colonel Of the Sixth Kentucky
Cavalry, Federal, and he amt going to
monkey around here much longer"
Federal Commander: well, viii you
advance, or shall 1 send a squad of men
alter your Decide quickly, for 1 shall not
give you much more time"
Reply: Well, Colonel, guess wont
20 any furt or after doctor tonight,
but I d turn back home and wait till morn
ing. Good night, Colonel"
Colonel: mo, you don't! Halt! Come
back herel Fire. men, if he don't halt"
From this it was thought that only one
of our men (he in advance) had been seen,
though We were we'll covered up.
But the fence was opened, and each man
IN the rear, dismounung and leading his
horse through the gap (by dismOuntinR,
the men were less liable to be seem. and
mounting in the corDield, under cover of
the stalks, were all ready Tor a prompt
move before the command to ire was
given.
AS the last speaker turned and dashed
into the field, a small shower of balls fell
around us, cutting the corn stalks, on each
side and in our front, with no other result
than to make US ply our spurs a little more
industriously, until we distanced our pur-
suers. who were evidently reluctant las we
learned afterward) to leave the Hillsboro
turnpike.
of course the firing had stirred up all
-the boys" within its hearing, and produced
upon their sensibilites the impression that
it was their move" toward Big Harpeth.
AS we did not know what forces had been
posted on the river below our crossing
point, and, being unwilling 10 give any
more chances against our escape, the men
We're directed to pass through Mrs. Fanny
Hardings place, thence 10 the south of
Mr.. CartWrights residence, and across the
field, thus to reach the crossing NJ the foot
of the Locust Hole"
Did any Of my readers ever hear dry
cOrnstalks break before a bunch of
frightened yearlingsy
Those who have may form some idea of
the racket produced as we dashed through
Mr.. Cartwrighrs cOrnheld, through which
ran the Little Harpeth, and which lay be-
tween US and the crossing of Big Harpeth.
Approaching the first mentioned stream,
We were compelled to slew up, as its
banks were rough and PERCEPTIONS. And,
during our slower progress, we took al
vantage of the cOmpal alive silence to listen
and to learn, if possible, whether we were
being pursued by the enemy which had
stampeded us.
Our alarm was greatly heightened by
hearing hoof strokes and the cracking Of
corn stalks on our right and below the
ford on Big Harpeth!
OF course, We imagined that the enemy
knew the location of the ford, and We're
trying 10 head us OF: and We became
forci6ly impressed with the idea that We
must get there first or be captured.
Then the pace, which had been a good
round one, became earnest in the extremel
1t was every man for himself and "Davy
catch the hindermOst.
In order to cross with more facility Lit
tie Herpeth, we had detected from the
true course, so as to describe an arc; ard
il appeared to our heated imaginaHOns that
the enemy had taken the cord Of the arc;
and, as they We're riding as recklessly as
We were, our apprehensions were duly in
| creased.
Vaughn, who was riding at the right Of
the column, exclaimed: "By gravy, Lieu
tenant, they are outriding US, and the whole
| regiment is cutting us OF from the ford
We will be forced out to the other pike,
| and find at least a company on duty there.
/ Now we're in a nice pocket, amt we? We
| cant cut our way through and We cant
/ turn back, but-darned if III surrender IN
| here!"
The situation looked desperate, and only
/ "heroic treatment" would meet the contin-
/ geney.
The enemy was certainly outstripping
us, and would lead us to the ford. No time
/ was to be wasted IN speculation, SO with
Head Of column follow leader, we turned
/ to the night. so as TO pass to rear OF the
! enemy and strike the river at a point about
/ two hundred yards below the ford.
AT this point the river bank was some
| i've feet above the surface of the water,
which lay IN long, deep pool in our front,
between us and the fer side Of the river.
| Even under this pressure, POuier was, as
usual, irrepressible, and exclaimed:
"Now, boys, for a BATH We all need It,
and won't be any the worse for it, unless u
Yankees bullet perfOrates the skin and lets
the water run in to drown uslD
| With but little hesitat on, for there was
no delay in making the choice between a
ducklng and captivity, We plunged spurs
into our horses and forced them to leap
into the water-their heads held uuartering
up stream toward the other bank of the
river.
While we were thus engaged the troops
at the ford dashed across, and, to our fur
Their anxiety, seemed bent upon cutting
us OF on our approach to the higher ground
to the west.
! We notice, however. that not more than
thlrty-ive Of the enemy continue in the
| rear; and are encouraged to hope that we
may distance some of these, thereby hay
ing a more equal show in the rapidly APP
preaching struggle.
! Here comes the enemy, approaching US
diagonally and rapidly. With pistol il
hand, We ply the spur to our steeds. already
| beginning to feel the strain upon their re-
| sOurces-but FIRE is withheld until we are
at closer quarters, in the hope that We may
still further decrease the number of ou
enemy, seemingly so entered upon inter
/ cepting our flight.
Our paths IN the race have been con-
vergent till now, a slight detour bends one
from its course until they become almOs
parallel and at about fifty yards apart
Thus We dash along, topping" in the mos
style the logs and other impedi-
ments which would have been avoided IN.
der ordinary circumstances.
The race grows fast and furious, eacl
party riding to the best advantage. Thus
Tar the speed developed has been so nearly
equal as to afford no material advantage IN
! position TO either party for the last i've